Foldable tables



July 16, 1963 F. E. DRABERT ETAL FOLDABLE TABLES Filed June 27, 1960United States Patent O M 3,097,748 FOLDABLE TABLES Fritz Edmund Drabertand Klaus Eduard Geifers, Minden, Westphalia, Germany, assignors to Fr.Drabert Sohne, Minden, Westphalia, Germany, a partnership Filed June 27,1960, Ser. No. 38,949 Claims priority, application Germany Feb. 18, 196011 Claims. (Cl. 211-149) The invention relates to a foldable table,particularly a serving table, as used in the household but also inmedical practice and in catering establishments etc.

Foldable serving tables or serving trolleys are known in variousembodiments. In the oldest embodiments, which consist partly of woodstructures, divided table tops are mounted pivotally. These table topsare attached to a rigid frame provided with runner rollers.

More recent embodiments of steel or metal tube construction show tabletop halves, which are hinged foldably downward and outward or upward andinward on a rigid frame. However the folding down into a position foruse is possible only after their supports articulated to a rigid centralstructure have been swung out horizontally by means of links. Theopening and closing of the links and of the foldable supports and theholding thereof in the opened or closed position required a number ofmechanical means, for example springs, abutments, trestles etc. In theknown design the central frame structure is extended beyond the upperedge of the table top and accordingly is in the way of practical use ofthe useful area. Moreover these known designs are very expensive inproduction.

In some known foldable table two pairs of shelves are pivoted one abovethe other on central columns arranged at the ends of the foldable tableand connected to one another by a transverse member extending at a levelbetween .the two pairs of shelves, and encumbering the space betweenthem. Moreover such a connection at one point of the central columnsonly is inherently unstable and relies for stability of the foldable.table as a whole on the said hinged pairs of shelves.

The invention has the object of fully obviating all the disadvantages ofthese known designs.

With this and other objects in view, which will become apparent laterfrom this specification and the accompanying drawing, we provide afoldable table comprising in combination: four leg columns, two tubularmiddle columns, an upper yoke fixedly connecting the said middle columnsto one another, a lower yoke having the ends bent upwardly and eachincluding an extension slidably connected to one of the said tubularmiddle columns, a pair of table top halves pivotally connected to saidleg columns and articulated at their inner ends about horizontal axes tothe said middle columns, and links articulating the said lower yoke tothe said table top halves at the outer ends thereof, the said table tophalves being folded down by raising the said middle columns while thesaid leg columns keep standing on the floor.

Preferably the foldable table has at least one additional pair of tabletop halves articulated below the first mentioned pair of table tophalves at their inner edges to the said middle columns and near theirouter edges to the said leg columns, said additional table top halvesfollowing the folding movement of the first mentioned table top halves,said upper yoke being arranged immediately below said upper pair oftable top halves, and said lower yoke being arranged below the lowest ofsaid additional pairs of table top halves so as to clear the spacebetween the upper pair of table top halves and additional pairs of tabletop halves.

The operation of the table or preferably trolley, according to theinvention is accordingly very simple. When 3,097,748 Patented July 16,1963 the same is not to .be used, merely a slight lifting of the centralcolumns is required, which is possible with the slightest effort of twofingers only, in order to place all the table top halves verticallydownward in contact with the centre columns. However, the leg columns,which may optionally be provided with runner rollers, keep standing onthe floor even in the folded position of the table, which has theconsiderable advantage, that the structure can be moved even in thiscondition without any special physical effort. In particular, asdistinguished from known designs, unfolding is easily possible by theuse of one hand only which is for example very important to a servingwaiter who is holding a tray or the like in the other hand.

The upper and lower table top halves may 'be made of equal or ofdifferent size. In the latter case it is convenient to make the uppertable top halves larger, so that serving trolleys, particularly aftertaking off or locking the runner rollers, may be used as normaloccasional tables, which in this manner afford an appropriate leg room.

Conveniently upon each middle column a latch is provided, by means ofwhich the table may be secured in its operative position against anawkward or inadvertent upward movement of the two middle columns, andaccordingly against its being folded.

An embodiment of the table according to the invention will be explainedhereinafter more in detail by way of example with reference to thedrawings showing in a purely diagrammatic way in:

FIGURE 1, a perspective illustration of the table according to theinvention in the operative position;

FIGURE 2, a side elevation of the arrangement according to FIGURE 1 in asemi-folded condition;

FIGURE 3, a side elevation of the arrangement according to FIGURE 1 inthe fully folded condition.

FIGS. 4-6 are details on a larger scale.

The table according to the invention is for example provided with fourtable top halves 1, which are articulated on the one hand to twovertical middle columns 2, and on the other hand to two of four verticalleg columns 3 or 4, respectively. The upper ends of the two middlecolumns 2 are fixedly connected to one another by a preferably crankedyoke 5. The hollow middle columns 2 take-in slidably the cranked ends ofa further yoke '6, in the manner of a telescope. At the extreme upperends of the middle columns 2 hand grips 7 are provided.

Adjacent each crank end point of the lower yoke 6 a link 8 isarticulated which is also articulated to the corresponding upper tabletop halves 1.

At the lower ends of the leg columns 3, 4 casters 9, 10 are mountedpermanently or :detachably. The casters 9, 10 may be locked, if desired,by the aid of any suitable device.

The unfolding of the table into the position for use is effected by aslight pressure on the middle columns 2, into which the ends of thelower yoke 6 slide until the lower table top halves 1 abut an abutment\11 fixedly connected to the cranked end of the yoke 6. The links 8serve for supporting and securing the table top halves 1, to which theyokes 5, 6 afford a safe support.

The folding of the table is effected by simply raising the middlecolumns 2 by the grips 7. The raising of one grip by two fingers issufficient therefor. Thereby the two contiguous upper and lower tabletop halves .1 are also raised, the outer edges or" which movehorizontally inward so far that in the end position the table top halves1 contact the two middle columns 2. In this condition the surfaces ofthe individual table top halves face outward which has the advantagethat any soiling thereof by foodstuff or the like can be readily notedand removed without difficulty. No unfolding of the table into theoperative position is required therefor.

In the upper ends of each leg column 3, 4 preferably bores are provided,into which engage the cranked ends of protective railings 12, 13. Theserailings 12, 13 have the object of preventing articles transported onthe table, particularly dishes, plates and the like, from falling off.The railings 12, 13 may obviously be removed in the operative positionof the table, if desired, so that the same may be used as a stationarytable, preferably camping table or the like, particularly after removingor locking the castors 9, '10. In this case it is convenient, to makethe two upper table top halves larger than the lower ones, in order toafford sufiicient leg room and accordingly comfortable sitting.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it is shown there how a slightly dished tabletop half 1 is hinged to a middle column 2 by means of a bracket rivetedto the said table top half 1 and hinged to a horizontal screw boltarranged transversely of the said column 2..

FIG. 5 shows in two part-elevations viewed at right angles to oneanother how a resilient wire 14 is hinged with its two horizontallyinward bent upper ends in a transverse bore of the middle column 2. at aposition shown in FIG. 1. The middle portion of this wire is bent so asto run longitudinally downward along the said middle column, and thelower ends thereof are bent radially inward at right angles to the saidupper ends on which the wire 14 is hinged to the column 2. These lowerends penetrate through a radial bore of the tubular middle column 2 intoa corresponding 'bore (not shown) of the telescoped end 6' of the loweryoke 6. The wire 14 thus forms a resilient latch, by means of which theend 6 of the lower yoke 6 and the middle column 2 can be locked to oneanother in the unfolded position of the table top halves, in order toprevent the latter from being folded unintentionally.

FIG. 6 shows a castor wheel mounting to be fitted-ifdesireddetachablyinto the lower end of a leg column 3. A double armedlever pivoted about a horizontal axis to the castor bracket bears withits inner end on the fixed vertical trunnion of the castor mounting andprevents the same from rotating relative to the said trunnion unlessthis lever is depressed as indicated by the vertical arrow.

What we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is:

1. A foldable table comprising in combination: four leg columns, twotubular middle columns, an upper yoke fixedly connecting the said middlecolumns to one another, a lower yoke having the ends bent upwardly andeach including an extension slidably connected to one of the saidtubular middle columns, a pair of table top halves pivotally connectedto said leg columns and articulated at their inner ends about horizontalaxes to the said middle columns, and links articulating the said loweryoke to the said table top halves at the outer ends thereof, the saidtable top halves being folded down so as to face outwardly by raisingthe said middle columns while the said leg columns keep standing on thefloor.

2. A foldable table as claimed in claim 1, comprising latches mounted onthe said middle columns and engaging in the iolded-out condition of thesaid table tops the said telescoped ends of the said lower yoke andlocking the same unless withdrawn.

3. A foldable table as claimed in claim 1, comprising hand gripsarranged on the upper ends of the said middle columns.

4. A foldable table as claimed in claim 1, having at least oneadditional pair of table top halves articulated below the firstmentioned pair of table top halves at their inner edges to the saidmiddle columns and near their outer edges to the said leg columns, saidadditional table top halves following the folding movement of the firstmentioned table top halves, said upper yoke being arranged immediatelybelow said upper pair of table top halves, and said lower yoke beingarranged below the lowest of said additional pairs of table top halvesso as to clear the space between the upper pair of table top halves andadditional pairs of table top halves.

5. A foldable table as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said additionaltable top halves are shorter radially than the first mentioned table tophalves.

6. A foldable table as claimed in claim 4, comprising abutments arrangedon the cranked ends of the said lower yoke on which the said additionaltable top halves rest in the folded-out condition.

7. A foldable table comprising in combination: four leg columns, runnerrollers mounted at the lower ends of the said leg columns, two tubularmiddle columns, an upper yoke fixedly connecting the said middle columnsto one another, a lower yoke having the ends bent upwardly and eachincluding an extension slidably connected to one of the said tubularmiddle columns, a pair of table top halves pivotally connected to saidleg columns and articulated at their inner ends about horizontal axes tothe said middle columns, and links articulating the said lower yoke tothe said table top halves at the outer ends thereof, the said table tophalves being folded down facing outwardly by raising the said middlecolumns while the said leg columns keep standing on the floor with thesaid runner rollers.

8. A foldable table comprising in combination: four leg columns, havinglongitudinal bores at their upper ends, two tubular middle columns, anupper yoke fixedly connecting the said middle columns to one another, alower yoke having the ends bent upwardly and each including an extensionslidably connected to one of the said tubular middle columns, a pair oftable top halves pivotally connected to said leg columns and articulatedat their inner ends about horizontal axes to the said middle columns,protective railings having cranked ends engaging into the said bores atthe upper ends of the said leg columns and in the unfolded position ofthe said table tops lining the edges thereof parallel to the saidhorizontal axes thereof, and link-s articulating the said lower yoke tothe said table top halves at the outer ends thereof, the said table tophalves being folded down so as to face outwardly by raising the saidmiddle columns while the said leg columns keep standing on the floor.

9. A foldable table comprising in combination: four leg columns, runnerrollers journalled detachably at the lower ends of the said leg columns,two tubular middle columns, an upper yoke fixedly connecting the saidmiddle columns to one another, a lower yoke having the ends bentupwardly and each including an extension slidably connected to one ofthe said tubular middle columns, a pair of table top halves pivotallyconnected to said leg columns and articulated at their inner ends abouthorizontal axes to the said middle columns, and links articulating thesaid lower yoke to the said table top halves at the outer ends thereof,the said table top halves being folded down facing outwardly by raisingthe said middle columns while the said leg columns keep standing on thefloor with the said runner rollers.

10. A foldable table comprising in combination: four leg columns,castors pivotally fitted at the lower ends of said leg columns, twotubular middle columns, an upper yoke fixedly connecting the said middlecolumns to one another, a lower yoke having the ends bent upwardly andeach including an extension slidably connected to one of the saidtubular middle columns, a pair of table top halves pivotally connectedto said leg columns and articulated at their inner ends about horizontalaxes to the said middle columns, and links articulating the said loweryoke to the said table top halves at the outer ends thereof, the saidtable top halves being folded down facing outwardly by raising the saidmiddle columns while the said leg columns keep standing on the floorwith the said runner castors.

11. A foldable table comprising in combination: four leg columns, runnerrollers mounted at the lower ends of said leg columns, locking means inoperative connection with the lower ends of said leg columns and withsaid runner rollers and capable of locking the latter, two tubularmiddle columns, an upper yoke fixedly connecting said middle columns toone another, a lower yoke having the ends bent upwardly and eachincluding an extension slidahly connected to one of said tubular middlecolumns, and articulated at their inner ends about horizontal axes tosaid middle columns, and links articulating said lower yoke to saidtable top halves at the outer ends thereof, said table top halves being(folded facing outwardly by raising said middle columns while said legcolumns keep standing with said runner rollers on the floor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSForsyth Jan. 11, 19116 Blais et a1 May 27,1919

Bayer Sept. 12, 1922.

Moller Oct. "25, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Mar. 8, 1928 FranceNov. 12, 1956

1. A FOLDABLE TABLE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: FOUR LEG COLUMNS, TWOTUBULAR MIDDLE COLUMNS, AN UPPER YOKE FIXEDLY CONNECTING THE SAID MIDDLECOLUMNS TO ONE ANOTHER, A LOWER YOKE HAVING THE ENDS BENT UPWARDLY ANDEACH INCLUDING AN EXTENSION SLIDABLY CONNECTED TO ONE OF THE SAIDTUBULAR MIDDLE COLUMNS, A PAIR OF TABLE TOP HALVES PIVOTALLY CONNECTEDTO SAID LEG COLUMNS AND ARTICULATED AT THEIR INNER ENDS ABOUT HORIZONTALAXES TO THE SAID MIDDLE COLUMNS, AND LINKS ARTICULATING THE SAID LOWERYOKE TO THE SAID TABLE TOP HALVES AT THE OUTER ENDS THEREOF, THE SAIDTABLE TOP HALVES BEING FOLDED DOWN SO AS TO FACE OUTWARDLY BY RAISINGTHE SAID MIDDLE COLUMNS WHILE THE SAID LEG COLUMNS KEEP STANDING ON THEFLOOR.